When we first toured Big Blue, it was very dark, lonely, and seemed turned around. In order to get to the living room, we entered through the main door near the kitchen, went up a staircase and then down another staircase into what is now the main entryway. The oversized furniture was situated underneath the upstairs landing, which for a tall person like me felt very claustrophobic.
I have always seen the living room of a home as its heart. It’s where people gather, snuggle on the couch by a warm fire, read a book, share their hopes and dreams for the future, and just enjoy each other’s company. For me, the living room should be inviting, comfortable, and well thought out.
As I took in the room, all I could think was “look at all this unused space . . . “
And that wall is asking for a fireplace!
I must have said that same phrase about twenty times until I literally took a roll of painters tape and taped off exactly what the wall needed. The room also desperately needed to be lightened up, so we had our team whitewash all the brick throughout the cabin and installed a wagon wheel chandelier.
Now, I don’t believe in destroying beautiful masonry but in this case, the massive amount of red brick throughout the home competed with the potential of the other natural elements.
In order to keep things safe, we opted for an electric firebox insert that can be used year round for ambiance, but also in the winter for warmth. Our contractor built a mantle in order to fit the ridiculously large television installed by my business partner. AKA Emad.
I’m of the camp that televisions should never be installed above a perfectly good fireplace . . . that’s what artwork and décor are for but compromise makes a good marriage great.
One day!
Other than that decades long debate, we absolutely love how this space turned out!